When Nothing Is Left but the Soul

“When Nothing Is Left but the Soul”

There are moments in life when the curtain falls without warning — when the lights go dim, and the orchestra of possessions, comfort, and pride goes silent. Losing everything one owns — be it wealth, home, mementoes, or even identity — is not just a material catastrophe; it is a soul’s confrontation with its naked truth.

If I were to lose all my possessions, the first tremor would undoubtedly shake my composure. After all, human instincts cling to familiarity — the four walls that shelter us, the books that remind us of our learning, the clothes that guard our dignity, the objects that carry memories of love and labour. Yet, beyond that first wave of despair, I believe I would gradually learn to see life with renewed eyes — unburdened, unmasked, and unpossessed.

The Unseen Wealth

Possessions often define us in society’s eyes — the car we drive, the house we build, the gadgets we flaunt, or the wardrobe we choose. But once all this is gone, we realise how fragile these definitions are. Stripped of ownership, what remains is being. I would rediscover the wealth of the intangible — the warmth of a kind gesture, the sincerity of prayer, the solace in music, and the companionship of nature.

In the stillness of loss, I would find an unexpected form of abundance. Perhaps, in that emptiness, the heart learns to breathe again.

The Human Reflex

It is human nature to grieve over loss, yet survival is also ingrained in our very bones. After the storm of tears, the spirit begins to rebuild. Like the phoenix rising from its ashes, I would begin again — with humility as my capital, hope as my foundation, and gratitude as my guide.

Society, in such times, reveals its two faces — one of indifference and another of compassion. Some may turn away, too busy to notice a fallen traveller; others may extend a hand, proving that humanity still breathes amid the ruins of greed.

Spiritual Integrity

Losing everything might, paradoxically, make me whole. When worldly identities are erased, what remains is the pure self — neither rich nor poor, neither powerful nor powerless — only aware. I would turn inward, seeking strength in prayer, peace in silence, and purpose in service. For the soul’s value does not depend on possessions; it depends on its alignment with truth.

In the words of an old saying, “The richest man is not he who has the most, but he who needs the least.”

Lessons in Survival

I would rebuild not just walls, but values — learning to live simply, eat gratefully, and smile without reason. I would write again, sing again, and walk again under the open sky, knowing that everything I truly need — breath, love, light, and faith — cannot be stolen, burned, or lost.

Perhaps, the ultimate test of life is not how much we accumulate, but how much we can rise after everything is taken away.

When gold turns to dust, and the walls collapse,
When memory’s chest wears a broken clasp,
The soul still hums its silent hymn,
Through night’s dark veil, when lights grow dim.

When all is lost, yet hope remains,
When love still flows in unseen veins,
Then man is richest, though none may see,
For truth is wealth, and faith — the key.

When hands are empty, hearts are wide,
When tears and prayers flow side by side,
Then loss becomes a gentle art —
A whisper from God to cleanse the heart.

In the end, to lose everything is not the end of life — it is the beginning of living truly.

When Conviction Softened into Compassion”

“When Conviction Softened into Compassion”

There was a time when I believed that firmness in one’s opinions defined strength — that changing one’s mind was a sign of weakness, of inconsistency. To me, standing like a rock amidst the tide of ideas symbolised integrity. But as the seasons of life unfolded, I realised that even rocks erode with time, while rivers, though ever-changing, carve valleys and nurture life.

It was through countless interactions — in classrooms, staff meetings, friendships, and family circles — that I discovered how our convictions often spring from circumstances rather than universal truths. What I once dismissed as indecisiveness, I later recognised as growth. Our thoughts are not meant to be locked in iron chests; they must breathe, evolve, and learn the melody of empathy.

The Journey from Rigidity to Realisation

In the early chapters of my life, I was an ardent believer in the phrase “once right, always right.” Perhaps it stemmed from the discipline of education, where precision and correctness were virtues. Yet, human nature is far more nuanced than the black-and-white markings of a chalkboard.

Gradually, experience whispered a different wisdom — that being open to change does not mean surrendering values but refining them. Behavioural science suggests that our reflexes — both physical and mental — are shaped by survival instincts. When confronted with contradiction, the mind instinctively defends itself, much like the hand withdraws from fire. But if we pause for a moment before reacting, understanding seeps in. That pause is where wisdom lives.

The Mirror of Human Behaviour

Human nature thrives on comfort, familiarity, and the illusion of control. We love to believe that what we know today will remain eternally true. Yet, the beauty of being human lies in our ability to outgrow our former selves. Just as the snake sheds its skin to survive, our minds must shed outdated beliefs to stay humane.

Changing one’s mind, therefore, is not a betrayal of one’s past but a celebration of one’s evolution. It’s a testament that learning never ceases — that the child within us still dares to ask why.

The New Understanding

I now see that conviction is noble, but compassion is nobler. To hold strong opinions with humility, to listen without judgement, and to accept the possibility of being wrong — these are the real marks of maturity. The heart that once reacted like a reflex now reflects before responding.

Change of mind is not weakness; it is wisdom at work — a silent revolution that polishes our soul and connects us more deeply to others.

Let the river of thought keep flowing free,
Carving its course through stone and sea.
For minds that bend, like trees in rain,
Shall rise anew and bloom again.

To change one’s view is not to fall,
But to hear life’s gentler, truer call.
In hearts where empathy softly reigns,
The strength of love forever remains.

Marriage: Mirage or Sacred Bond

Marriage: Mirage or Sacred Bond?

Marriage has always been celebrated as one of the most profound human commitments, a tapestry woven with threads of love, respect, trust, and companionship. Yet, in the present times, the fabric of this institution appears to be wearing thin. Promises made under the canopy of stars often turn fragile once daylight dawns upon the realities of life. What was once thought of as a lifelong covenant sometimes becomes no more than a short-lived contract.

The Mask Before the Vows

It is often asked: why do people conceal their true selves before marriage? The answer lies partly in human nature and partly in societal conditioning. In the courtship phase, individuals tend to project their best selves—sometimes out of fear of rejection, and sometimes out of a desire to impress. Like actors on a stage, they polish their dialogues, hide their flaws, and exaggerate their virtues. This is not always deliberate deceit, but often the consequence of wanting to be loved without conditions.

Yet when the curtain falls and daily life begins, the masks slip away. The reality of habits, tempers, values, and priorities emerges, and what seemed tolerable before suddenly becomes intolerable. In many cases, truth comes out not as a gentle whisper, but as a jarring confrontation.

The Battles After the Bells

Fights in marriage are not new, but their frequency and bitterness seem to have increased. A clash of egos, the struggle for dominance, and unmet expectations breed resentment. The modern age has only added fuel to this fire. Social media and the alumni networks of the past, once a source of nostalgia, sometimes become distractions—encouraging individuals to seek thrills and companionship outside their present bond. What was once considered loyalty is now easily traded for momentary excitement.

Children, tragically, often become silent spectators in these wars of the heart. Their voices are ignored in the quest for personal freedom or pleasure. A playground should echo with laughter, but too often it resounds with loneliness.

Love as Transaction

The sacredness of marriage, once sealed with trust, is now often entangled in transactions. Money, status, appearances, and possessions silently dictate the terms of togetherness. Respect and affection, once considered the foundation of a household, sometimes take a back seat to financial calculations. When love becomes conditional, it loses its essence.

A Short-Lived Union

It is no surprise, then, that many marriages today are short-lived. What begins with fireworks ends in ashes. The rush for independence, the unwillingness to compromise, and the erosion of patience have made it easier to sever ties than to mend them. Society, too, has shifted its gaze from “till death do us part” to “as long as it feels good.”

Yet amidst this sombre reflection, one must remember that marriages still hold the power to blossom. Where honesty replaces pretense, where respect outweighs ego, and where love is nurtured through small sacrifices, marriage continues to be the most beautiful garden of human existence.

Marriage is not a stage to perform,
But a hearth to shelter from the storm.
Not a mask of glitter, borrowed and bright,
But a lamp of truth that burns through the night.

If love is weighed, it will surely fall,
Respect and trust must anchor it all.
A bond not fragile, nor fleeting in flame,
But a journey of souls that whisper the same.

When the Room Turns into a Storm: A Time I Felt Out of Place

When the Room Turns into a Storm: A Time I Felt Out of Place

Sometimes, one steps into a room expecting warmth, dialogue, and fellowship, only to find oneself caught in a storm that was never meant to be weathered. I recall such a time, a gathering where the very air became heavy with conflict. What was meant to be a meeting of minds, perhaps even an exchange of perspectives, devolved into a battlefield of words, rising tempers, and fists.

At first, the conversations carried a spark of curiosity. People put forth their views with enthusiasm, but that enthusiasm soon slipped into arrogance. Arguments transformed into shouting matches, shouting into abuses, and abuses into physical blows. The very space that should have been a cradle of dialogue turned into a crucible of chaos. I sat in stunned silence, wishing I could melt away, for the place no longer felt safe, civil, or worthy of my presence.

The Behavioural Science of Conflict

Psychologists have often observed how group dynamics can spiral out of control. When egos clash, reason is the first casualty. A simple conversation triggers what behaviour scientists term the fight or flight response. Adrenaline rises, judgement clouds, and the human mind — which prides itself on logic — reverts to primal instincts. In that gathering, I witnessed this regression vividly: civilised discourse unravelled into primitive combat.

The Social Ethics of Belonging

Social ethics remind us that belonging to a space comes with responsibility. To sit together, to share thoughts, to exchange experiences — all of this requires an invisible contract of respect. When that contract is broken, a place becomes toxic. For me, the sense of being “out of place” was not merely physical; it was moral and emotional. My values clashed with the environment, and the dissonance was painful.

The Science of Choosing Your Place

As life advances, one realises that choosing the right place is as important as choosing the right words. The science of decision-making suggests we must weigh not just the potential benefit of being present but also the emotional and psychological costs. A wise choice of gatherings can prevent unnecessary scars on the heart and mind. Every place we enter leaves its mark on us — so it is prudent to step where respect, civility, and thoughtfulness are welcomed.

That evening taught me more than a hundred lectures could. It was not just about being physically out of place, but about realising that environments which breed negativity are never worth one’s time. A room can echo with laughter, or it can thunder with hostility; the choice of which door we walk through often decides the quality of our memories.

Mindful thoughts to End

In a hall where tempers rise like flame,
I sat in silence, feeling out of frame.
Words turned to weapons, calm gave way,
To fists and fury in a stormy play.

A gentle heart must learn to steer,
Away from places clouded by fear.
Choose your circle, choose your ground,
Where peace, not chaos, is truly found.

For not every gathering deserves your face,
Sometimes wisdom lies in leaving the place.

Life Unplugged: A World Without the Computer

Life Unplugged: A World Without the Computer

If one were to imagine life without a computer, it feels like standing in the midst of a vast library where the shelves are brimming with wisdom, yet the doors remain locked. The computer, in its humble metallic and silicon form, has become more than a tool; it is the extension of our mind, a loyal companion of our intellect, and a bridge to connect souls across oceans. But let us dare to step back, to peel away the luminous screen and ask: what would life be like without it?

A Return to Simplicity

Without the computer, our mornings would begin not with the gentle hum of a machine, but with the rustle of a newspaper, the smell of ink staining fingertips, and the art of handwriting letters that carry not only words but emotions engraved in every stroke. Conversations would demand patience; friendships would rely upon the weight of handwritten cards and the effort of travelling across miles. There would be slowness, but in that slowness, perhaps a deeper sense of intimacy.

The Scientific Pause

Science, too, would tread differently. Imagine a world where climate models are drawn on paper rather than simulated through thousands of processors, where astronomical mysteries rely solely on telescopes and hand calculations, and where medicines advance at the pace of laboratory notebooks rather than bioinformatics. The absence of computational power would slow progress, yet it would heighten the genius of human curiosity, much like Kepler labouring over planetary orbits with nothing but his will and wits.

The Socio-Economic Lens

Economically, the absence of computers would redraw the map of society. No digital markets, no virtual banking, no lightning-fast transactions that turn ideas into industries overnight. Wealth would be measured in tangible resources and manual effort rather than data-driven innovation. Employment would swell in the fields of clerical work, filing, and physical accounting, but industries like e-commerce, software, artificial intelligence, and digital communication would remain unborn. Perhaps inequalities would look different—measured not by access to data, but by access to physical labour and printed knowledge.

Technology, the Unseen Pulse

Technology has woven itself into the fabric of our existence like an invisible thread. A life without computers would mean no smartphones, no global positioning systems, no social media platforms shaping conversations across borders. The rhythm of modern civilisation would slow to the pace of human hands and human memory. Yet, paradoxically, one wonders—would there be more silence, more reflection, more genuine conversations under starlit skies?

The Poetic Reflection

Without computers, our nights would belong once again to books under dim lantern light, to the scratching of pens on diaries, to children inventing games from imagination rather than pixels. Perhaps the heart would beat to simpler melodies, yet the mind might ache for the boundless reach of a search engine, the infinite web of information, and the convenience of storing lifetimes of work in a small metallic box.

Life without a computer would not be lifeless—it would be different, slower, rooted in patience and persistence. But it would also be deprived of the wonders of instant knowledge, global unity, and the scientific leaps that define our era. To live without a computer would be to walk backwards in time with candles in our hands while knowing that the sun of knowledge has already risen.

And so, the computer is not merely a device; it is the silent architect of our age. To imagine life without it is to understand its irreplaceable role—as a friend, a philosopher, a guide, and at times, a master. Without it, humanity would still live, but perhaps without the wings that let us soar into the infinite skies of knowledge and creation.

The Art of Saving Oneself from Friends

The Art of Saving Oneself from Friends

Friendship, in its purest form, is meant to be a sanctuary of trust, laughter and companionship. Yet, there are times when the very bonds that promise shelter also become shackles. The skill I most long to master is not a musical instrument, not a new language, nor even a professional craft — but the subtle, delicate art of saving myself from my friends.

The Paradox of Friendship

It sounds almost contradictory — why would one need saving from friends? But life, in all its paradoxes, often teaches us that affection does not always come untainted. Friends can be fountains of joy, yet at times, they can be storm clouds that darken our horizon. Their words may turn into veiled criticisms, their gestures into obligations, and their presence into burdens.

To save oneself is not to abandon them, but to protect the sanctity of one’s inner self. It is to build quiet boundaries, not brick walls; to preserve dignity without disrupting love.

The Philosophy of Self-Preservation

Ancient wisdom often emphasises balance — the middle path of Buddha, the harmony of the Upanishads, the Stoic resilience of Marcus Aurelius. Each speaks of the same truth: to live well, one must neither lose oneself in others nor withdraw completely.

Saving oneself from friends is, therefore, the practice of inner equilibrium. It is saying yes with joy when the heart permits, and no with grace when the spirit demands. It is remembering that companionship is a choice, not a compulsion, and that the self, if lost, cannot be reclaimed easily.

The Poetic Skill of Letting Go

To acquire this skill is akin to learning a delicate art — like sketching with soft pastels or composing verses that balance rhyme and rhythm. It requires attentiveness, courage and humility. It means knowing when to share silence instead of words, when to walk away rather than linger, when to guard one’s energy as a lamp from the wind.

Friendship, after all, should be a garden where flowers bloom freely — not a cage where the soul suffocates.

When laughter turns to piercing sound,
And kindness binds like rope around,
I’ll step aside, I’ll breathe, I’ll see,
The quiet truth that sets me free.

Not every hand that reaches near,
Carries the balm to calm my fear,
Some wounds are healed by walking slow,
By learning when to stay, to go.

So may I guard my tender flame,
With love intact, yet free from blame,
For saving self is not the end,
But the truest way to love a friend.

Book Review: Study Smarter, Succeed Faster by Prashant Kumar Lal

Book Review: Study Smarter, Succeed Faster by Prashant Kumar Lal

Available at http://www.amazon.com

About the Book
Study Smarter, Succeed Faster is not just another study guide – it is an essential roadmap designed to transform the way students approach learning. With clarity, practicality, and motivational insight, the book equips learners with effective strategies to save time, retain knowledge better, and develop the discipline needed to succeed in academics and beyond. Spread across 308 well-crafted pages, it combines theory with actionable steps, making it a true companion for anyone who wishes to unlock the power of focused, efficient study habits.

About the Author
Prashant Kumar Lal, a seasoned educationist with over three decades of leadership in schools, brings his wealth of experience into this book. Having served as a Principal, mentor, and consultant, he has spent years understanding the challenges faced by students and guiding them towards achieving their full potential. His previous works on education, training, and personal growth have already left an imprint on countless learners and teachers. With Study Smarter, Succeed Faster, he once again proves his ability to inspire and empower.

Target Readers
The book primarily addresses students at different academic levels – from secondary school learners striving to balance a heavy workload, to university students aiming to enhance productivity and reduce stress. At the same time, parents and educators will also find in it a valuable resource to better understand and support the learners in their care.

Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
What sets this book apart is its fusion of academic discipline with life skills. Instead of burdening students with lengthy theories, it offers practical, time-tested techniques rooted in real-life educational settings. Each chapter nudges readers to shift from working harder to working smarter – focusing not just on memorisation, but on critical thinking, motivation, and structured goal-setting. It bridges the gap between effort and achievement, ensuring that success is not only faster but also more fulfilling.

Why You Should Read It
In an age where distractions are at every corner, Study Smarter, Succeed Faster acts as a compass that points students back to purposeful learning. It is written in a style that is simple yet powerful, relatable yet inspiring. Whether you are preparing for exams, looking to manage your time better, or simply seeking a method to learn more efficiently, this book will serve as your trusted guide.

Available now in print and digital format at http://www.amazon.com. Don’t just study harder – study smarter, and let success come faster than you ever imagined.